Stevens: Be bold, Lions, and trade the pick

Published 8:00 pm, Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The Detroit Lions have the number one pick in the NFL draft on Saturday, and you're sweating, aren't you?

You're probably thinking they'll pick Billy Bob Jacobs, an up-and-coming long-snapper out of a prison league in Galveston, Texas.

"Billy Bob's going to be a star, but we'll bring him along slowly," Lions' management crows.

The Lions have had more flops than hits over the past several years, and that's a huge reason why the team stunk it up with an 0-16 mark a year ago. The talent on the roster hit rock bottom.

Their history is bleak with drafting this decade, and few have confidence the Lions will pick a winner this year. Calvin Johnson, a stud out of Georgia Tech, is a future superstar at wide receiver, but the team's also picked Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers and Mike Williams - all busts - with high picks in the draft.

Sure, you might say Matt Millen is gone and in the broadcast booth at ESPN, so the Lions are safe. They'll make a wise choice this weekend.

Not so fast.

These are the Lions, after all. William Clay Ford is still the owner, the organization is a proven loser, the team rarely makes a wise decision in the draft, and it has a hard time developing talent on the roster. Not exactly a recipe for the Super Bowl.

That's why I implore the Lions to trade the pick. Do everyone a favor - yourselves, your fans, the NFL, Mel Kiper Jr. - and get rid of the pick. Heck, get rid of both first-round selections (Lions also pick at No. 20).

Trade them for proven players: guys who've shown that they can perform, and perform at a high level.

Most teams build through the draft, but the Lions should not follow that blueprint. They need experienced players NOW! They need players with a history of success. And, those players need to be good, if not very good, in exchange for a first-round pick or two.

That would bolster the team, and the fan base, with a bold trade.

The Lions could get a couple of high-energy defensive players to improve the defense and add more speed and size. Or, they could improve that terrible offensive line with a couple of seasoned stars.

Teams will pay dearly for a No. 1 pick. The Lions should make them pay, and, in return, improve the talent on the roster.

How bad is the talent? Here's one example: The Lions have only two players - Johnson and running back Kevin Smith - ranked among the top 100 players in the league according to one NFL website.

That's pretty sad.

And that's why the Lions need to bring in a proven commodity or two or three, and get rid of the top pick. Don't risk the selection on an unknown NFL prospect like Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford or Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry or Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith. There's too much at stake. Like, say, another pitiful losing season.

Please do the right thing, Lions.

Trade the pick.

Energize the fan base and the franchise. PLEASE!

Chris Stevens is sports editor of the Daily News. Email him at stevens@mdn.net